This is located in the Western Ghats zone at an altitude of 2240 mtrs. It is the
headquarters of the Nilgiri District, where the two mountain ranges meet. Udhagamandalam
, popularly called as OOTY by the tourist, is the Queen of Hill Stations. Centuries
ago this was also called as Oththai-Kal [single
stone] Mandu [ Mund is a name of Toda Village].
The British started calling it as Ootacamund.
Coffee and Tea Plantations and trees like Conifers, Eucalyptus,
Pine and Wattle dot the hill side in Udhagamandalam and its environs. Summer temperature
is maximum of 25 C and a minimum of 10 C . During the Winter it is minimum 5 C and
a maximum of 21 C when it is slightly warmer. This area was inhibited by the tribals
called TODA long before any body could venture into
this region. Curiously enough, this slice of paradise remained unknown even during
the periods of the great Southern Dynasties. It was the Britons who ventured
into the riches of the regions during early 1800’s. Development and modernization
took after their arrival to Udhagamandalam. This was the Summer Capital of the Madras
Presidency during the British Rule. Coonoor - 19Kms, Kothagiri
- 31 Kms are the other smaller nearby hill stations.The Town population
is 88,430(2011 census) and Nilgiri District population is 7,33,394(2011 census).